Ladder.



aumento@ @kW/fw- PATBNTED JUNE 23, 1908. J. R. RUPB.

2 slums- SHEET 1.

@wir jg :falli LADDER APPLIoATloN runnin 24, 1905.

Q/vifmow en @m42/ No. 891,736. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1908.

J. R. RUPE.

LADDER.

Y APPLIGATION FILED MY 24. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' To all whom it may concern:

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

.TUDSON R. RUPE, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR CHANDELIER & ART BRASS WORKS,l

- OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ACORPORATION.

LADDER.

, Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1908.

Application led Hay 24, 1905. Serial No. 262,048.

Be it known that I, JUDsoN R. RUPE, a citizen of the United States, residin at Richmond, in the county of Wayne an State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a firm, strong and durable step-ladder, made of sheet metal. A

Another object of my invention is to provide strong and rigid stiles.

Another object of my invention is to provide steps rigidly fitted and secured to the stiles.

Another object of my invention is to provide a brace or su port which can be rigidly secured to the ladder proper.

Another object of my invention islto ro' vide improved hinged brace legs hin e to the stile so that they can be readily olded and brought firmly into position and locked against folding movement.

Other features of the invention are more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichz Figure l is a side elevation of the step ladder containing my improvement in position for use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on line it, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged central section of the upper portion of the ladder; Fig. 4 is a section on line 10,10, Fig. 3. Fi 5 is an enlarged end view of one of the sti es.v- Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse section of the stile and step at the point Fig. l. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of one end of the steps. Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional plan view of that portion of the stile to which the steps are attached. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of one of the stiles, showing the steps in section. Fig. l0 is a front elevation of Fig. 9.

A represents the stiles of the ladder, as shown, made of sheet metal.

a represents inwardly extendinrjr flanges on the front and rear edge of the stiles. They are formed integral and of two thicknesses of metal, as shown in Fig. 5, one limb of the flange being bent over on itself so as to form 4 smooth edges and to strengthen and stiffen the stiles.

b represents an inwardly extending flange about midway between the front and rear flanges a.

The stiles are preferabl made of a single sheet of metal, the centra Hanges b bein(r of two thicknesses bent upon each other to urther strengthen and stiffen the stiles.

B represents the steps below the platform step C, andv they are preferably secured to the stiles inl the following mannerz-The stiles are provided with slots c, c, upon each side of the central flange b. The ste s are provided with front, rear and central anges t, t, y', projectin downwardly from the face ofthe step. Tey are made of the form shown in Fig. 7. A recess 7c is shown in Fig. 7 which embraces the central flange b of the stile. Central slots e, e, are provided for each end of the step in the stiles on each side of the central flange. The metal between the slots c is depressed and the tenons f, f, of the steps are projected through the upper slot c, then bent downward, passed through the lower slot, and the end turned'up a ainst the offset of the stile A, as shown 1n ig. 6.

h, h, represent rivets or fastenings rigidly connecting the flanges a of the stile with the flanges i of the steps.

m, m, represents -braces riveted to the ste s at the top and to the sides of the stile to urther strengthen and support the steps, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and these braces are preferably made of two-limbed form, as shown in Fig. 10.

C represents the platform or top step. It is provided with front, rear and central flanges projecting down in the same manner as those of the steps. J

D represents brackets rigidly riveted to the stiles and l-atform step, connecting the two arts firmly together. Preferably, these brackets serve as the pivot supports for the hinged folding legs E.

The brace legs E of the -ste -ladder are shown of tubular form, by rol ng a sheet metal in the usual form of making tubes. The tubular form is employed for two purposes, first because of li htness, and, second to serve as a slide-way or the brace eyes F.

G. represents a brace pivoted to the stiles and the forward end is pivoted to the ears of the eyes F. By employing these eyes and pivoting the braces to them and to the stiles, the brace may be readily raised, the eyes sliding freely upon the tubular legs until the stile.

I repesents tubular'eyes rigidly secured to the legs E.

J re resents similar tubular eyes rigidly Secured) near the lower end of` the legs. v

L, L represent cross braces firmly secured to the tubular eyes I, J. The upper eyes ,I are placed so that their top edges are at or below the horizontal line of the axes of the folding bracesG, and serve as a stop to the` downward movement of said brace and to lock it in position afainst movement until the said brace G is lifted for folding.

It isobvious that the Stiles and steps may be used as a ladder without .attachlng the folding legs, and as Such, is a part of my invention. l' A ladder having the Stiles made of this form is very rigid and will Support without perceptible tremor a much heavier weight than the ladder will ordinarily be subjected to.

When used as a Step-ladder and constructed as herein shown, it has a corresponding increase of Strength and rigidity.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a ladder, sheet metal Stiles, the intermediate portion of which iS bent upon itself y to form intermediate flanges extending lengthwise of the Stiles and substantially transverse to the cross-section thereof, sheet metal stepsl formed with -like intermediate flanges, each stile being formed with two slits one ,above the other, each step having a its tongue extended through both of said S and bent against the inner surface of the sheet metal of the stile between the said slits, substantially as described.

2. In a ladder, sheet metal Stiles, the metal of each stile being bent upon itself to form flanges on the inside of the stile extending lengthwise thereof and substantially transverse to the cross-Section, there being a flange at each edge of the Stile and an intermediate flange consisting of a double thickness of the sheet bent out from the stile pro er, sheet metal steps, the metal of each of w `ch ste s is bent upon itself to form on the under si e of the step, flanges extending lengthwise ,of the step and Substantially parallel with and abutting the flanges of the Stiles, the said steps being secured between the Stiles, substantially as described.

3. In a ladder, sheet metal Stiles, the terminal ends of the sheet being bent to form a flange at each edge thereof extending lengthwise of the stile, an intermediate flan e consisting of two thicknesses of the sheet ormed by bending the metal upon itself, and Sheet metal steps formed with flanges at each edge of thestep and a central flange formed by bending the metal upon itself, said steps .provided with tongues at the ends thereof w1th a slot between them of Such dimensions as to allow the flanges of the steps to engage and abut the flanges of the Stiles, substantially as described. v

4. In a ladder, sheet metal Stiles, the terminal ends of the sheet being bent u on itself to form a flange at each edge thereo extendingvlengthwise of the stile, an intermediate flange consisting of twothicknesses of thc sheet formed by. bending the metal upon itself, and sheet metal steps .formed with flanges at each edge of the Ste by bending the terminal ends of the meta upon itself,

said Steps provided with tongues at the Iends thereof with a slot between them, adapted to enga e over the central stile formed between the anges and the tongues fastened to the Stiles, substantially as described.

5. In a ladder, sheet metal Stiles, the terminal ends of the sheet being bent u on itself to form a flange at each edge thereo extendmg lengthwise of the stile, an intermediate flange consisting of two thicknesses of the Sheetformed by bending the metal upon itself, and-Sheet metal steps having likeflanges formed at each 4ed e and centrally thereof and inclined paral el with the flanges of the stile, said steps having tongues at the terminal ends adapted to be bent down and engage the face o the Stiles and slotted at each end to engage over the central stile flange, the said tongues bein fastened to th Stiles, substantially as descri ed.

6. In a ladder, sheet metal Stiles, the terd minal ends of the sheet being bent u on itself y to form a flange at each edge thereo extending lengthwise of the Stile, an intermediate flange .consisting of two thicknesses of the sheet/formed byl bendin the metal upon itself, the face of said sti es being of a single thickness of the metal, and sheet metal Ste s having like flanges at each edge and central y thereof and inclmed parallel with the flangesl of the stile, Said steps being Slotted at each end with projecting tongues beyond the intermediate flange, which tongues are bent and fastened to the plane faces of the Stiles between the central flange, substantially as described.

A7. A step ladder, formed of sheet metal Stiles having inwardly projecting flanges, tubular legs pivoted to the Stiles, a folding brace pivoted at one end' to the Stiles, a member sliding on the legs, and a pivotal connection between the Said member and the other end of the said brace, substantially as described. A

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 4 my hand.

JUDsoN R. RPE.

Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, LEO ODoNNELL. 

